African Union Endorses Nigeria For UN Security Seat

24.05.2013, 13:50 

The 23rd Ordinary Session of AU Executive Council, on Thursday night in Addis Ababa, unanimously endorsed Nigeria's candidature for a UN Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent seat in 2014.
Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbega Ashiru confirmed Nigeria's endorsement by the council to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Addis Ababa.
Ashiru, who is attending the 23rd Executive Council meeting in Addis Ababa, said the UNSC would elect new members of the Council in October in New York.
He said that Nigeria needs to get 2/3 of the votes from other regional bodies to secure the seat during the election.
"We now have a lot of work to do to secure the votes of the Organisation of Islamic Countries, The Caribbeans, the Asians and the European Union among others."
NAN reports that Nigeria last served in the prestigious Council from 2010-2011 and is seeking a re-election for another two-terms - 2014-2015.
The country is promoting its contribution to peacekeeping and security in Africa accomplishments as credentials that qualifies it for another term of membership.
For now, Nigeria and Chad are campaigning for the two available African seats at the Council.
The forthcoming election is to replace Togo, Morocco, Pakistan,Azerbaijan and Guatemala, whose two-year term at the council expires on Dec. 31.